Chelsea now eyeing ‘exceptional’ 155-goal star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea could be looking to bring Brentford striker Ivan Toney to Stamford Bridge next summer, as Graham Potter looks for a long-term number nine option for the Blues, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The club currently have just Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Broja as their striker options and may look to bring the 26-year-old to the club in the next summer transfer window.

What’s the latest on Toney?

According to 90min, Chelsea are continuing to look to bring in attacking reinforcements to a forward line that has only scored 17 goals in the Premier League this season.

The same stats provider suggests that whilst AC Milan’s Rafael Leão and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are at the top of the west London side’s transfer target list, they are also looking at a potential deal for Toney with the former two expected to be extremely expensive.

However, Potter’s side may have competition on their hands, with Calciomercato (via The Sun) reporting that Manchester United are also interested in a deal for the Brentford star, with the Red Devils looking at a January move rather than waiting until the summer.

And O’Rourke believes that when looking at Premier League strikers who are “more gettable than others”, Toney comes under that bracket.

What has O’Rourke said about Toney?

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Chelsea long-term will be looking to bring in a number nine, probably this summer.

“I don’t think Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is the long-term answer due to his form and his age probably.

“So, I think Chelsea will be looking at him [Toney]. If you’re looking at Premier League strikers and ones that are probably more gettable than others, Ivan Toney definitely comes into the reckoning.”

Would Toney be a good signing for Chelsea?

Toney looks like he would be the ideal number nine for Chelsea, with the striker adapting to life in the Premier League seamlessly over the past two seasons.

The forward once described as “exceptional” by Barry Fry, is enjoying a stunning campaign thus far, having scored ten goals and provided two assists in 14 Premier League appearances this season, according to Transfermarkt.

The striker with 155 career goals to his name is also a hard worker for his side, ranking in the top 3% of strikers across Europe’s big five leagues as well as the Champions League and Europa League for clearances per 90 minutes (1.43) and the top 10% for interceptions per 90 minutes (0.41) over the last 365 days, according to FBref.

Having now amassed 47 appearances in the Premier League for the Bees, and coming into his prime at the age of 26, now might be the ideal time for Chelsea to make their move on a striker who has proven himself to be a reliable presence in the top-flight over the past 14 months.

News Now – Sport News